Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

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July 2025 ~ Volume 194

Inspiring. Meaningful. Adventure.

 

Place-based Learning in the Great Outdoors

Anastasia State Park among Top 10 Beaches in Florida, per USA Today

Our Home Base for our St Augustine History Paddle! 

We hope you are enjoying your summer wherever your adventures take you.  As we prepare for our 2025-2026 season and our 94th to 99th multi-day trips, we are highlighting some of the organizations and efforts that are making an impact for generations to come. Paddle Florida has (for almost 100 trips), partnered with Florida State Parks and the Department of Environmental Protection to stay, learn, and paddle Florida's most spectacular waterways! We are excited to see these resources are now protected.  You can read about the new law to protect Florida parks from development in this issue.

We are pleased to announce that our Santa Fe Springs Celebration trip is SOLD OUT!  You can read about the efforts by Alachua County Forever and Alachua Conservation Trust  as they work to protect land on the Santa Fe River in this issue.

We have added a NEW trip to our 2025-2026 schedule - St Augustine History Paddle April 20-26, 2026!  Come explore with us.  Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find much to appreciate on Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of protected water, and current and tidal flow to help in any direction, we will paddle to historic sites including downtown Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Our home base for this historic adventure will be at Anastasia State park, where you can explore Anastasia’s four miles of pristine beach in this idyllic location renowned for gorgeous white sand. The park is also rich in both sea and wildlife. 

In this issue, read more about these success stories:  DeSantis signs new law to protect Florida parks from development and Alachua County Forever and Alachua Conservation Trust Protect 128 Acres on the Upper Santa Fe River. 

We look forward to seeing you on the water soon. 

 

2025-2026 Paddle Florida Season

Santa Fe Springs Celebration - 3 nights of optional cabins! - Our 94th multi-day trip! - SOLD OUT!

November 3-8, 2025

Come celebrate one of Florida's prettiest rivers, called "Holy Faith" by the Spanish, which lives up to its name with its quiet beauty. The Santa Fe boasts dozens of significant springs, including the celebrated paddleable Santa Fe tributary the Ichetucknee River.

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Florida Keys Challenge - Base Camp Cabins - Our 95th multi-day trip!

January 12-18, 2026

Join us for a cold weather escape as we paddle the Florida Keys and explore some of the most beautiful turquoise waters in the State of Florida! This year’s trip includes both short and long paddling options, from our basecamp each day, and an educational component provided by Seacamp Association, Inc. From our homebase cabins at Seacamp Association, we will enjoy glorious sunrise and sunsets, and paddle out to explore the area each day. This is a spectacular location for us to call home during our visit to the Keys! Nature beckons you as you cross paths with Key deer, sea turtles, dolphins, and egrets. You will make memories grounded in nature, with an eco-friendly Florida charm in an area that is known as a paddling destination.

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Rivers Exploration - Blackwater River & Coldwater Creek - 1 night of optional cabins! - Our 96th multi-day trip!

February 16-22, 2026

The Blackwater River in Florida, particularly within Blackwater River State Park, is known for its unique contrast of dark, tannic water with pristine, white sandy beaches and large sandbars, making it a popular spot for swimming, paddling, and hiking. Coldwater Creek, a major tributary of the Blackwater River, also features sandy bottoms and broad sandbars, offering a similar experience for paddlers. Join us as we explore these riverways and Blackwater River State Forest close to Pensacola!

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Suwannee River Paddling Festival - Our 97th Multi-day trip!

March 20-22, 2026

With camping atop the bluff overlooking two beautiful rivers, our season-capping festival takes place at Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak. The weekend will offer supported 12 mile paddling options on both the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a concert featuring Paddle Florida's favorite musicians, and educational presentations from regional waterway experts.

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Suwannee River Wilderness Trail - Our 98th Multi-day trip!

March 20-25, 2026

Celebrate Florida's version of autumn on its most famous river. The trip spans 65 miles of the scenic Suwannee and a portion of the (northern) Withlacoochee, from Madison Blue Spring to Branford. This section features dozens of clear blue springs perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

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NEW - St. Augustine History Paddle - Our 99th multi-day trip!

April 20-26, 2026

Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will find much to appreciate on Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of protected water, and current and tidal flow to help in any direction, we will paddle to historic sites including downtown Castillo de San Marcos and the Bridge of Lions, Fort Mose, Fort Matanzas National Monument and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Our home base for this historic adventure will be at Anastasia State park, where you can explore Anastasia’s four miles of pristine beach in this idyllic location renowned for gorgeous white sand, the park is also rich in both sea and wildlife.

 REGISTER FOR TRIPS HERE 
 

News Articles of Interest

DeSantis signs new law to protect Florida parks from development

Image courtesy Richard Graulich / The Palm Beach Post

“The passage of this bill ensures that our state parks are protected forever. This is democracy at work. The voices of the people have been heard,” Harrell said in a statement.

Lawmakers also created a straitjacket of regulations to maintain DEP's focus on preservation by requiring the department to ask for public input to develop park management plans that must be updated every ten years. Any changes to those plans would require two public hearings while they are being developed and written. […Read More…]

 

Read about Alachua County Forever and Alachua Conservation Trust Protect 128 Acres on the Upper Santa Fe River

“ACT is thankful to our partners at Alachua County Forever for recognizing the importance of conserving land along the Santa Fe River,” said ACT Executive Director Tom Kay. “Being able to partner with local, state, and federal agencies helps leverage funding sources, such as the Wild Spaces & Public Places program, with private funds to ensure that Florida’s natural lands and waterways are protected in perpetuity.”

Plans for the property include longleaf pine habitat restoration and passive public recreational access. 

The Bell property is the first Alachua County Forever acquisition of 2023, following County voters' re-authorization of the Wild Spaces and Public Places initiative in 2022. The Alachua County Forever program has protected 32,690 acres since its inception in 2000. […Read More …]

 

Check out the Creature Feature at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offers a range of habitats and a home for more than 6,000 different animals. Here's a look at some of the more prominent flora and fauna you may encounter while exploring the sanctuary. This list is not comprehensive.

The wildlife in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary need you to be a good steward on your outdoor adventures. Remember to follow the wildlife viewing guidelines, responsible diving practices, and our guidelines for boaters. […Read More…]

 

How To: Pick a Kayak Paddle

Click here for the video

 

Support Paddle Florida

Paddler Raffle To Help Protect Florida's Waterways

PRIZE PACKAGE: $3,300 VALUE

Tickets available here!

 

Donate. Introducing our NEW Long Sleeve Dri-fit Shirt, available in women's v-neck, unisex crew or hoodie. Support Paddle Florida by purchasing one of our NEW Paddle Florida Dri-fit shirts for $40 (add $10 to have it shipped to you), or we can bring it to you on your next trip! Donate online here or mail a check to Paddle Florida, PO Box 840205, St Augustine FL 32080. In appreciation of your donation, you will receive a special gift!

 

Advertise With Us. You can reach over 7,500 monthly subscribers for $75/month, or get two months free by promoting your paddling-oriented product or service over 12 months for $750! Contact us here for details. (Subscriber number updated annually on January 1st)

 

Paddle Florida, Inc., PO Box 840205, St Augustine FL 32080, USA

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